COS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the COS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 COS Exam Format at a Glance
📚 COS Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample COS Questions & Answers
1. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a property manager must provide domestic violence victims with what document at lease signing and recertification?
HUD form HUD-5380 (Notice of Occupancy Rights under VAWA) must be provided to all applicants and residents at key occupancy stages.
2. Under HUD rules, how long must an owner retain application files for applicants who were denied housing?
HUD requires owners to retain records for denied applicants for a minimum of 3 years from the date of denial.
3. What is a needs assessment in COS Property Valuation & Appraisal practice?
A needs assessment identifies gaps between current performance and desired outcomes to justify improvements.
4. How does professional liability insurance protect COS practitioners?
This insurance covers financial consequences of claims alleging negligence or mistakes in professional services.
5. What role does the 'Fair Market Rent' (FMR) published by HUD play in affordable housing market analysis?
FMRs are used by Public Housing Authorities to set payment standards for the Housing Choice Voucher program, determining the maximum subsidy available.
6. What is the purpose of a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract?
A HAP contract defines the terms and conditions under which HUD provides rental subsidy payments to property owners on behalf of eligible tenants.